adminBlue Bulls (43-5).
The backline, with Brendon Mandivenga and Tawanda Ngosi each winning the man-of-the-match award, winger Brandon Boshi and Rukudzo Gona, has been in terrific form.
They have captured the imagination of the fans here with Mandivenga proving a darling of the South Africans due to his creative play, dynamic moves, vision, skill and high work rate.
Coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa has described him as the next Victor Olonga.
But for the back line to show what they are made of and please the spectators with the skill they have, there is a trio that has made sure that possible.
Flankers Nicholas Burnett and captain Daniel Moolman and Ivan Bawden at the base of the scrum are unsung heroes of the Zimbabwe side in this year’s Craven Week side as they have largely been vital cogs in both attack and defence.
Burnett has been the best defence due to his size and the St John’s College forward has mastered the art and technique of hitting hard, drawing opposition in and getting the ball for his side.
He is also a good jump option for Zimbabwe at the line-out and can carry the ball forward, taking advantage of his big body he has offered a very good first line of defence effectively and he was unfortunate not to walk away with the man-of-the-match award against the Griquas.
Bawden has proven an expert at ball fetching.
He has won more than 50 percent turnover balls at the point of contact and maintains his consistency throughout the game.
The St George’s College loose forward also adds weight into the side as he is another lineout option and is also an effective hooker who is always looking for turnover balls.
Captain Moolman leads from the front and cleans up nicely and is able to stand his ground against bigger opposition.
Coupled with his natural leadership skills, the Peterhouse player has been in good command of his boys and the way he communicates with his team has given Zimbabwe the upper hand as well.
The trio hope they will make it three out of three tomorrow when they take on Namibia in the traditional junior test. As a unit the three are definitely among the best loose trios at this year’s festival.
Online Reporter